When it comes to helping our communities, a lot of us wish there were more we could do. While our lives and the world at large can impede our ability to volunteer or donate money, there is still much you can do to effect change on those around you who need help. A lot of us know that clothing is almost always an acceptable donation, but there are plenty of other things that charities and shelters need. We’ll go over a few things you never knew you could donate so you can clean out some junk and do some good in the process.
One of the things most requested by shelters is new or gently used bedsheets and blankets. Gathering and donating your old bedding is a great way to make sure that it doesn’t end up in a landfill and goes to someone who will really appreciate the extra comfort.
Your child won’t stay the same age forever. When they grow out of their old toys and stuffed animals, it can be difficult to throw them away. Rather than see them in the trash, give them a new life by donating them to another child in need. Get the kids involved and have them choose which toys they are ready to pass on to a new home. This is a great way to create space for new toys around the holidays.
It seems strange to donate something that is so customized to you specifically, but the truth is that prescription eyeglasses can be useful even if they are not the perfect fit for someone. Donating these will give someone who can’t afford glasses the opportunity to see more clearly.
Soaps, toothpaste, toothbrushes, dental floss, feminine care products, and a lot more hygiene essentials are often highly in-demand items at charities and shelters. If you have some to spare, these make great donations to those who don’t have the means to buy them on their own.
Everyone wishes they had a little more help with their children. Donating things such as diapers, baby wipes, unopened formula, and more could go a long way to helping new moms. Given how expensive these items can be, shelters will very much appreciate your donation.
Not everyone can afford all those crayons, markers, and notebooks that kids need when they start going to school. You can help a child in need get a leg up by donating these school supplies, especially in the middle of the school year, when supplies start to run short.
Donating even some of these things you never knew you could donate could make an enormous difference in someone else’s life. Everyone needs a little bit of help sometimes, and by giving back when you can, you’re keeping the giving cycle going for a little bit longer.